Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

 

Environment

1.Global Environment Facility (GEF) Approves $736.4 Million for Nature Protection

About the GEF

• Established in 1992.
• Mission: Address global environmental issues.
• Unique Partnership: Collaborates with 18 agencies (UN bodies, development banks, NGOs) to tackle environmental challenges in 183 countries.
• Financial Mechanism for 5 Conventions:
  • Minamata Convention on Mercury
  • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
  • UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)
  • UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
  • UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Innovator and Catalyst: Supports projects like preserving ecosystems, building green cities, boosting food security, and promoting clean energy.
  • Leverages $5.2 in additional financing for every $1 invested.
• GEF Trust Fund: Assists developing countries in meeting environmental goals.
• Impressive Impact: Over $22 billion in financing provided, mobilizing another $120 billion for over 5,000 projects.

Highlights of the 67th GEF Meeting (June 2024)

• $736.4 million approved for nature protection and renewal projects.
• Funding sources: GEF Trust Fund, Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), Multi-Trust Fund, Blended Finance Project.
• GBFF Work Programme:
  • First program approved ($37.8 million).
  • Focus: Improve sustainability across 30 million hectares of protected areas (land & sea).
  • Support for indigenous-led conservation in Brazil and Mexico.
• GEF Trust Fund Projects in India:
  • $6.7 million for expanding protected areas and community conservation.
  • $10.7 million for wetland, forest, and grassland conservation along the Central Asian Flyway.

 

 

Environment

2.New Diatom Genus Discovered in India

About Indiconema

• New genus of Gomphonemoid Diatom found in Eastern and Western Ghats.
• Distinguished by unique valve symmetry: pore fields at both head and foot poles (unlike other Gomphonemoids with only a foot pole pore field).
• Name “Indiconema” reflects its limited distribution within India.
• Biogeography:
  • One species each found in Eastern and Western Ghats.
  • This shared distribution pattern is similar to other endemic-rich groups in these mountain ranges.

What are Diatoms?

• Microscopic algae crucial for life on Earth.
• Produce ~25% of global oxygen (every 4th breath we take).
• Base of the aquatic food chain.
• Indicators of aquatic health (sensitive to water chemistry changes).
• Evolution of monsoons and varying wetness across India has shaped the diatom flora.

Importance for Biodiversity

• India’s diverse landscapes support rich diatom diversity.
• Estimated 30% of diatom taxa in India are endemic (unique to the region).
• Diatoms contribute significantly to India’s unique biodiversity.

 

 

Economy

3.World Investment Report 2024

Global Investment Environment (2024)

• Challenging environment due to:
  • Weakening growth prospects
  • Economic fracturing
  • Trade & geopolitical tensions
  • Industrial policies & supply chain diversification
• MNEs adopting a cautious approach to overseas expansion.
• International project finance and cross-border M&As weak in 2023:
  • M&As (mostly developed economies) fell by 46%.

Greenfield Investment Projects

• Project numbers increased by 2%, driven by developing countries (+15%).
• Developed economies saw a 6% decline in new project announcements.
• Largest greenfield announcement: $34 billion green hydrogen project in Mauritania.

FDI in Developing Asia (2023)

• Declined by 8%.
• China (world’s #2 recipient) saw a rare decline in inflows.
• Sizeable declines in India, West & Central Asia.

 

Polity

4.EVM Memory Verification Requests

Context

• Requests Received: 11 candidates have applied for memory verification of EVMs and VVPATs after the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
• Supreme Court Order: First such requests since the Supreme Court’s April 24 order allowing verification upon request by runners-up in any election.

About the Requests

• Vote Rematching: Involves rematching votes polled in 5% of the EVMs in each constituency.
• Expense Bearing: Candidates must bear the verification expenses, refundable if tampering is found.

Procedure by Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Responsible Authority: District Election Officer (DEO) manages the process.
• Request Scope: Second and third candidates can request checks for up to 5% of EVMs and VVPATs per Assembly constituency or Lok Sabha segment.
• Request Submission: Written request to DEOs with a deposit of Rs 40,000 plus 18% GST per set of EVM to the manufacturer.
• Checking Period: Commences 45 days after results declaration, within which Election Petitions can be filed.

Key Dates and Figures

• Supreme Court Order Date: April 24.
• Deposit Amount: Rs 40,000 plus 18% GST per EVM set.
• Verification Start: 45 days post-results declaration.

 

 

Art and Culture

5.Mudgal Fort

Location: Raichur district, Karnataka (30-minute drive from Lingasugur)

• History: Over 1,000 years old
• Rulers: Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Deccan Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire
• Rise to Prominence: Bahmani Sultanate (strategic stronghold)
• Key Events: Clashes between Vijayanagara Empire and Adil Shahi Sultanate for control of the fort
• Significance:
  • Cultural Heritage: Reflects diverse influences, architectural marvels, and historical artifacts
  • Strategic Importance: Control of the fort shaped the Deccan Plateau’s political landscape
• Future:
  • Conservation Efforts: Ongoing projects to preserve the fort’s structures and artifacts
  • Tourism Potential: Attractions for history enthusiasts, archaeologists, and travelers (opportunities for local economic development and cultural exchange)

 

Art and Culture

6.Delos: An Ancient Greek Sanctuary Under Threat

Location: Cyclades archipelago, Aegean Sea (near Mykonos, Greece)

Significance:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1990)
• Birthplace of Apollo (god of light, arts, and healing) and Artemis (goddess of the hunt) in Greek mythology
• Major economic and religious hub during the Roman era (population of 30,000)
• 2,000-year-old buildings offering insights into daily life (Hellenistic and Roman periods)

Current Threats:

• Rising Sea Levels (Climate Change Impact):
  • Up to 20 meters rise in some areas over the past decade
  • Erosion of ancient building foundations (especially trade and storage areas from 1st-2nd centuries BCE)
  • Collapses observed each spring
• Material Degradation:
  • Rising temperatures and humidity affecting the chemical composition of ancient monuments
  • Accelerated deterioration due to exceeding tolerance levels for materials
• Tourist Pressure:
  • Tourists from nearby Mykonos pose risk by straying into restricted areas
  • Limited supervision during peak seasons exacerbates the issue